Effect of psychosocial interventions on psychological distress and quality of life of mothers of children with cancer: Protocol for systematic review

Abstract

Background: Parents experience emotional stress as a result of a diagnosis of cancer in their child. This has a severe influence on their quality of life (QoL). Anxiety and psychological stress also have a negative impact on parent's health. Parents, particularly mothers, have been proven to suffer post-traumatic distress levels that are significantly higher than their child who survives cancer. As a result, family-centered care is crucial from the diagnosis to long-term survivorship or mourning. This protocol aims to conduct a full-scale systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of psychosocial interventions on psychological distress and QoL of mothers of children with cancer. Methods: We will search for eligible published studies through PUBMED, Science Direct, COCHRANE library and Clinical Trials Registry – India. Reports from the conference or dissertations from SHODHGANGA, MEDLINE and PsychINFO will be used for extracting relevant data using a standardised data collection form. The pooled estimates of relative ratios with 95% confidence intervals will be combined using the random-effects model of meta-analysis. A funnel plot will be used to evaluate publication bias and Egger's regression will be used to check the funnel plot's symmetry. Results: Symmetrical funnel plots will suggest low risk of publication bias. This review will present the most recent data on the effectiveness of various psychosocial interventions in reducing psychological distress and improving the QoL for mothers of cancer patients. Conclusion: Future research will be guided by this to treat mothers holistically, which will help to better care for the children. The International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews assigned our systematic review procedure the registration number CRD42022345747 when it was registered in accordance with the requirements.